Paeroa will have some special visitors over the next few weeks when three groups of Chinese primary school students are hosted in the town.

Miller Ave School Principal Kaye Ferguson hopes the visit will establish lasting relationships between students and teachers from China, Kiwi students and their families, and the school.

'We know that teaching others is very important for learning. Teaching our guests English, Te Reo and our culture will imbed our own students learning and give it a real purpose,” she says.

'When they meet people from other cultures it makes our students aware of how precious our NZ culture is and how fortunate and proud they are to live in Paeroa.”

Other benefits include learning how to be good hosts and mentors, developing leadership skills, and becoming familiar with other cultures.

'We are becoming a global society and our students will learn to recognise and respond to the needs of those new to our country.

'In our students lives they will most likely work or study with people from many different cultures and some may have the opportunity to travel and live in different countries for work. This may not be so daunting if they have had positive cross cultural opportunities while they are at school.”

The first-of-its-kind study tour, organised by Kiwidotcom Training & Academic Institute, will also give the Chinese students from Kungchun China the opportunity to learn about life and education in NZ and strengthen the strong relationship Hauraki District already has with The People's Republic of China.

The students will be welcomed by the Mayor at the Council Chambers before going on to Miller Ave School for a pōwhiri.

Mayor John Tregidga says the Council's economic development strategy, developed in consultation with the local business community, has a real focus on attracting international investment into the District as well as exploring export opportunities for local established businesses.

The Council works closely with NZ based company Eastern Bridge, which supports New Zealand organisations to connect and leverage off their international partnerships in North East Asia.

A 2016 report prepared by the company on New Zealand's export education sector, shows Hauraki District is well positioned to attract a portion of the 4-billion-dollar industry.

'Our relationship with China goes back many years and includes a wonderful 17-year Sister City relationship with Jiading as well as strong business relationships,” he says.

'We're extremely pleased to welcome these groups of students to our special place, and hope to continue to work with Kiwidotcom on developing further opportunities for international students who may wish to study here in NZ.

'We have the perfect learning environment, with local primary and secondary schools of an extremely high calibre, clean fresh air, open fields, rivers, ocean and pristine bush.”

Kiwidotcom director Peter Meng says the students, their caregivers and teachers are excited about their upcoming Hauraki experience between 23 July and 10 August.

'The tour comprised of both academic study and cultural experience will be an unforgettable and enriching one, marking the beginning of a successful partnership between Hauraki and Kiwidotcom and paving the way for many future student exchange programmes.”